Verses 13-14 are concerned with aspects of speech.

“An evil man is ensnared by the transgression of his lips”: This line says literally “In the transgression [sin] of the lips [is] a snare to the wicked.” Hebrew Old Testament Text Project, which rates “snare” as “B,” suggests “In the sin of the lips there is an evil trap.” However, it also accepts “In the sin of the lips there is a trap for the evil person.” For “evil” see 2.14. “The transgression of his lips” means to say something false or, as Contemporary English Version says, “We trap ourselves by telling lies.” Bible en français courant expresses this line “An evil person is caught in the trap of his own lies.”

“But the righteous escapes from trouble”: “Escapes” contrasts with “ensnared” in line 1. “Trouble” renders a word meaning mental or physical strain (see 11.8). The saying does not make clear whether the good person escapes by his or her own action or by the action of God. Revised English Bible has “but the righteous come safely through trouble.” Another way of expressing this line, which clearly contrasts “ensnared” and “escapes”, is: “but trouble is not able to catch and hold the straight person.”

Quoted with permission from Reyburn, William D. and Fry, Euan McG. A Handbook on Proverbs. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2000. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .